Challenges incumbent Tom McClintock to face voters before November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, September 19th, 2018

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Today Jessica Morse, who is challenging Congressman Tom McClintock in the 4th Congressional District, accepted two additional debates in their race for Congress. The events are a debate hosted on public radio and a town-hall forum at Granite Bay High School, with format details to be finalized shortly. McClintock has yet to accept both debates. Morse had previously challenged him to four debates this summer across every region in the 4th district, but he failed to accept.

"I am glad that residents across the 4th district will finally be given additional opportunities to hear from both of their candidates for Congress side by side. I hope that Congressman McClintock can find time to attend all three events, as voters deserve as many opportunities as possible for an honest and open debate about the future of our community and country," said Morse. "I look forward to sharing my plans to grow our local economy, stand up to special interests, provide access to affordable healthcare, and be the most accessible partner and advocate for our community."

Morse and McClintock will have their first face-to-face debate this upcoming Sunday in Mariposa County at an event hosted by the Mariposa Gazette. Earlier this month, McClintock pulled out of a debate in North Lake Tahoe that he had previously accepted, leaving open the possibility that the two candidates would only have one, un-televised face-to-face meeting across a district that spans ten counties.

McClintock is facing his toughest re-election test since his first race in 2008. He trailed Morse in fundraising by a more than two-to-one margin in the most recent finance quarter, taking in only $223,000 to Morse's $543,000. Additionally, every major political prognosticator has moved the race out of the "Safe Republican" category, including Inside Elections, the Cook Political Report, UVA's Crystal Ball, and CNN. In fact, McClintock's 51% showing in June was the lowest total he's ever received in a 4th district primary. Morse was also added to the DCCC's Red to Blue program, which highlights the most competitive Congressional races across the country.